Mortar strip positioning frame



June 23, 1953 PEPER ETAL 2,642,736

MORTAR STRIP POSITIONING FRAME Filed May 16, 1950 R w WK? 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HMPepar KHTenygleelZ BY MpM June 23, 1953 H. M. PEPER ETAL 2,642,736

MORTAR STRIP POSITIONING FRAME Filed May 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 za 7.2 57- 43- z? V INVENTORS HMPe;er Eff-Tanya ed? BY j: Z M ATTORNEYS PatentedJune 2 3 1953 UNITED MORTAR STRIP POSITIONING Henry M. Pep'er and Karl H. Tengstedt,. I

Baltimore, Md.

Application May 16, 1950 Serial No.162,306 I 4 Claims. (Cl. 72-128) The present invention relates to masonry implements and more particularly a device for controlling the amount and position of mortar applied to a course of masonry blocks.

In present day bricklaying especially in the laying of glass blocks, it has become highly desir-' able that the exact amount of mortar required to establish a bond between the blocks be placed on the successive courses of masonry/ Such exact amount of mortar is necessary to provide what is termed as the perfect bond without undesired extrusion of excess mortar from between the blocks. I

The extrusion of a mortar is highly undesirable in the forming of a wall of glass blocks due to the fact that the main reason for using glass blocks is to attain a structure that is especially pleasing in appearance and highly decorative. The use of excess mortar between the blocks is therefore highly undesirable for unless the mortar is immediately removed from the exposed or face portions of the block it is very difficult if not impossible of removal without injury to the blocks. Onthe other hand the use of insufficient mortar will not only cause a weak and faulty construc-' tion but may also develop what is known asa leaky wall caused by unfilled cavities and channels being formed between the blocks. Inmost instances the latter difiiculty is due to the failure of the bricklayer to completely fill the frog or groove formed inwardly of the edges of the block with mortar during the laying operation. This lack of filling allows the mortar tovdevelop pockets and suck-holes due to the tendency of the mortar to creep. It is apparent that such deficiencies are to be guarded against if a perfect bond between the masonry blocks, as they are laid with unmarred faces, is to .be attained in a wall construction.

Therefore, it is the main object of this invention to provide a practical means for gauging and positioning a strip of mortar. to the proper thickness and sufficiently back from the edges of the masonary blocks being laid to provide a complete.

bonding means therefor without developing undesired extrusions of mortar exteriorally'of blocks joined by the mortar.

A further object is to provide a devicecapable of positioning a strip of mortar spaced from both sides of a masonry course at one operation. A still further object is to provide a'device capable of use in laying different sized building blocks. Another object is to provide a device capable of being used from either side of a wall as found desirable. 4

Still another object is to provide a construction that is simple, rugged and yet sufficiently light of weight as to make it easy of manipulation by the bricklayer.

These and other objects will appear more fully as the description of the invention progresses in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, and as defined in the appended claims.

In'the drawings:

Figure l is aplan view of the present invention.

Figure 2 is aside elevational view.

Figure 3 is an end elevation showing the device in operative position on a course of glass blocks. Figure 4: is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial section taken on line 55 of Figure 1. g s,

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a detail sectiontaken on line'l-l of Figurel.

Referring now indetail to the drawings, in Figure 1 is shown a top view of the device of this invention designated generally by the numeral ID. The device i0 is formed as a rectangular frame of convenient length for handling by oneinan and has spaced side members II and I2 joined together at their ends by elevated handles l3 preferably formed as turnbuckles'for adjustably spacing the side members therebetween. This adjustability-of spacing allows for the frame to be adjusted for straddled positioning on masonry blocksof' various thicknesses.

Each of the side members II and I2 is formed with an angle member I4 having a dependent inner vertical face l5 as best illustrated in Figure 7. Each vertical face I 5 is disposed at right angles to a planar top portion l6 formedwith a plurality of spaced slots as at [1 disposed intermediate of its opposite ends. Extending along the top l6 of each angle member l4 and attached thereto by suitable screw means 19 adjustably mounted in slots I1 is a strip 18 adapted for lateral adjustment relative to the face [5. Eachof the strips l8 are formed with an upstanding straight edge 20 of limited area to provide a knife-like edge or upper surface spaced inwardly of a cutaway top portion 2 I. This arrangement of a straight edge 20 of limited surface area greatly assists the bricklayer using the device III to attain a smooth strip of mortar positioned between strips [8 by merely running his trowel along thestraight edge as hereinafter explained. Such a sharp edge as 20 canbe readily kept clean and free ofaccumulated mortar deposits which might otherwise form an irregular trowel contacting surface. Both the angle members 14 and strips I8 are preferably formed of an aluminum alloy metal to attain lightness of weight and are dimensioned to provide the desired rigidity and strength in a construction subjected to comparatively rough usage.

Mounted at each end of the angle members I4 is a terminal block 22, making a total of four, preferably formed of a relatively strong alloy metal capable of being drilled and threaded to receive a number of inserted members. Each of the terminal blocks 22 is generally rectangular and of sufiicient length as to provide one end 23 raised above the plane of the side members H and I2 with an opposite end 24 forming an extension of the angle members It. The end 24 is formed with transversely drilled bore holes internally threaded as at 25 to receive a suitable screw or recessed bolt 26 inserted through apertures 21 formed in the ends of angle members H (Figure 6) extending inwardly of face l5. Although screw or bolt means are shown for securing the blocks 22 to the ends of the angle members [4 it will be apparent that in certain instances it may be found desirable to secure these parts together by other means such as welding or brazing.

Carried by each terminal block 22 and extending from the top portion 23 above and at right angles to the side members II and I2 is a fixed stud 28. This construction provides a pair of oppositely disposed aligned studs extending toward each other between oppositely disposed terminal blocks when positioned as aforedescribed which are provided with ends 29 reversely threaded to threadedly receive a connecting turnbuckle or bridging handle 30 positioned at each end of the device 10. This arrangement of the studs 28 having oppositely disposed right and left threads matched with the threads of the turnbuckle 30 allOWS for changing the spacing of the facings I5 of the side members by merely turning said turnbuckles to contracted or expanded positions of the studs 28 as desired. The utility of such extensibility is readily apparent and enables the device In to be readily used in laying blocks of all the various standard sizes conventional in the masonry art.

Each stud 28 has mounted thereon of a threaded lock nut 3| engageable with the turnbuckle 30 at its opposite ends to effect locking of the assembly at the desired spacing. Each of the turnbuckles 30 are provided with a transverse opening 42 formed therein and adapted to receive a pin or similar lever means to assist in turning the turnbuckle as desired and each turnbuckle may also be formed with a fluted or knurled surface for the same reason.

The spaced arrangement of side members II and I2 relative to a masonry course is best shown in Figures 3 and 4 which show the device in operative position straddled over a masonry course composed of building blocks 32. It will be noted that glass blocks are indicated at. 32 which are formed with a decided frog or grooved portion 33 extending laterally around each block spaced inwardly of a flat or bench portion 34 positioned inwardly of and at right angles to the outer faces 35 of the block. To attain a perfect bond between successive courses of blocks we have found that the frog portion 33 of the laid blocks must not only be completely filled but also have a sufficient amount of mortarprovided as to fill a like space formed in the next course of blocks placed on top of the course as shown. This we accomplish by having the thickness or height of strip 18 formed to correspond with the amount or thickness of the mortor strip required to fill both frogs. The mortar positioning strip i8 is arranged to also function in the positioning of the mortar strip back sufficiently from the block faces 35 so as to prevent undesired extrusion of the mortar from between the blocks and thereby prevent the unsightly condition of having the mortar trip down onto the faces of the laid blocks.

Attached to each terminal block 22 as by suitable screw means 36 is vertically adjustable aligning plate 31. Each of the aligning plates 31 are formed with suitable slot means 38 through which screws 36 carried by the block 22 extend allowing for securing of the plate at various points as desired. Plate 3! is formed with an integral extension or arm 39 that extends at right angles and inwardly of the angle members I4 to engage top surfaces of the blocks 32. The arms 39 function to position the frame relative to the tops of the masonry blocks 32 independent of the strips l8 so as to allow for working masonry where different spacing thereof are desired. For instance, in the working of bricks where a flush positioning of the mortar strip is found desirable the strips l8 may be spaced flush with or outwardly of faces 15. In order to facilitate adjustment and to assure that the arms 39 are all positioned in the same plane a pointer 40 is provided at one edge of the plate 31 alignable with suitable indicia 41 marked on the side of each block 22.

Mounted on the angle members l4 and extending outwardly therefrom is a side handle 43 of conventional design that not only aids in the ready handling of the device III as a unit, but also provides for a more accurate positioning of the device when positioned from a side elevation as a unit or when separated into two units as hereinafter explained. Although we show the device [0 equipped with only one side handle 43, this is done for purposes of simplicity as in most cases a handle is provided at each side of the device. However, this feature is optional depending on the particular type of construction work to which the device 10 is to be applied.

It is to be noted that the device [0 is so constructed as to be easily separable into two distinct operative unit by merely unscrewing the turnbuckles 30 from the studs 28 which allows for each side of the device to be then used from one side of the masonry course to position the mortar relative thereto. This feature is highly desirable in laying masonry blocks as facing members relative to an existing wall, or like construction where there is insufiicient space provided in back of the blocks 32 for positioning the opposite side of the device III.

In the operation of our device the side members II and I2 are straddled over the course of blocks 32, the lock nuts 3| are then backed off a, sufficient distance to allow the turnbuckles 30 to be turned sufficiently to space the faces l5 in close engagement with the block faces 35. The lock nuts 3| are then retightened against the turnbuckles 3!? locking them at the desired spacing. The arms 39 are then vertically adusted to rest on the tops of the blocks with the strip l8 positioned slightly above the plane f the blocks. Strips l8 of the desired thickness are then adjusted to position the outer edge of M a strip of mortar to be applied to the masonry course either inwardly of the faces or otherwise as desired. It being understood of course that in laying glass blocks, strips [8 must be spaced inwardly of the faces 35 so as to effect spacin of a masonry strip to be applied to the brick course sufficiently back from the block faces as to allow for its normal squeezing between the blocks bonded together without effecting undesired extrusion of mortar beyond their edges. With the device in such adjusted position on the course of masonry a quantity of mortar is then poured between strips and level off flush therewith by the running of a trowel along and horizontal to the straight edge 20.

It] can then be readily re-located to an adjacent section as desired by sliding it along the top of the course of laid blocks.

Having now described and illustrated one form of our invention we wish it to be understood that said invention is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown, but only as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention: 7

1. A device for positioning a strip of mortar on a course of masonry blocks comprising a pair of spaced side members engageable with the opposite faces of masonry blocks having ends disposed at each side of the blocks, said side members being formed with a flange having a flat top surface, vertical terminal members attached to said ends having top portions extended above the plane of said side members, transverse members carried by oppositely spaced top portions of the terminal blocks with pairs of said transverse members having alignable ends spaced apart, said spaced ends being formed with oppositely extending screw threads, parallel connector means in threaded engagement between respective pairs of said ends for varying the spacing of said terminals on rotation of the connectors, a strip adjustably secured to the flange of each side member having a knife edge disposed above said fiat top surface, said strip being movable transversely to extend inwardly of said side members to provide a spacing of lesser width than that of the side members, an angular plate adjustably secured to each terminal member, said plate having an arm disposed inwardly of and at right angles to said side members, indicia carriedrby said blocks adjacent the arms for indicating the relative alignment of said arms, and handle means extending from at least one of the side members.

2. A device for positioning a strip of mortar on a course of masonry comprising a pair of side members engageable with the opposite sides of a course of masonry, each of said side members being formed with a right angularly disposed top surface, a strip adjustably secured to each top surface portion of said side members hav- The device ing a knife edge disposed above the plane of said top surface, said strips being movable transversely to extend inwardly of said side members to provide a spacing of lesser width than that of the side members, oppositely disposed vertical members secured to the end portions of said side members and free of said movable strips having top portions disposed above the plane of said strips, extensible transverse members extending between said top portions spaced above said strips, an angular plate adjustably secured to each of said vertical members, each of said plates having an arm disposed inwardly of and at right angles to said side members for sliding engagement along the top of the course of masonry, and indicia means associated with said vertical members for indicating the alignment of said arms.

3. A device for positioning a strip of mortar on a course of masonary comprising a pairof side members engageable with the opposite sides of a course of masonry, each of said side members being formed with'a planar top surface, a strip adjustably secured to the top surface of each of said side members having a gauge edge disposed above the plane of said top surface with each strip being movable transversely to extend inwardly of said side members to provide a spacing therebetween of lesser width than that of the side members, oppositely disposed vertical members secured to said side members having elevated top portions, and extensible transverse members extending between said vertical members above the plane of said strips.

4. A device'for positioning a strip of mortar on a course of masonry comprising a pair of side members engageable with opposite sides of the masonry course, each of said side members being formed with a planar top portion, a strip carried by and transversely adjustable of each said top portion members having an inner edge disposed above the plane of said side members, said strips being movable transversely to extend said inner edges inwardly of said side members, and transversely disposed handle means extending between said side members.

HENRY M. PEPER. KARL H. TENGSTE-DT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 823,593 Fisher June 19, 1906 1,033,453 Olson et al July 23, 1912 1,326,008 Tarbox Dec. 23, 1919 2,395,438 Watkins Feb. 26, 1946 2,403,335 Bortolotti July 2, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,759 Great Britain Mar. 19, 1901 

